EP2495514B1

EP2495514B1 - Air conditioning device

Info

Publication number: EP2495514B1
Application number: EP09850834.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Yuji Motomura; Koji Yamashita; Hiroyuki Morimoto; Shinichi Wakamoto; Naofumi Takenaka
Original assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Current assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Corp
Priority date: 2009-10-29
Filing date: 2009-10-29
Publication date: 2019-08-28
Anticipated expiration: 2029-10-29
Also published as: ES2748323T3; EP2495514A1; CN102597656A; WO2011052055A1; US9310086B2; CN102597656B; JPWO2011052055A1; EP2495514A4; JP5323202B2; US20120198879A1

Description

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an air-conditioning apparatus that is capable of efficiently supplying heating energy, cooling energy, or both the heating energy and the cooling energy generated in a heat source device for a plurality of air conditioning loads, and relates to an apparatus used, for example, in multi-air-conditioning apparatuses for buildings.

Background Art

Conventional air-conditioning apparatuses used in multi-air-conditioning apparatuses for buildings condense and heat or decompress and cool refrigerants, such as HFC (Hydrofluorocarbon), using a heat source device, such as an outdoor unit arranged outdoors. Further, the refrigerant is conveyed to an indoor unit, which is arranged indoors and is connected to the outdoor unit, through extension pipings. The refrigerant exchanges heat with the indoor air in the indoor unit, carries out a cooling operation with the refrigerant receiving heat, and carries out a heating operation with the refrigerant releasing heat.
There is a chiller system that carries out a cooling operation or a heating operation by heating or cooling a heat medium, such as water or brine that is conveyed into the outdoor unit, using a heat source device, such as an outdoor unit, and by supplying the heat medium to an indoor unit or a heat releasing/receiving device that are connected to the outdoor unit. Refer to reference Patent Literature 1 to 4, for example.
JP H04 359767A discloses an air-conditioning apparatus according to the preamble of claim 1. The apparatus comprises a plurality of indoor units connected in parallel with each other are connected to a heat source having a compressor, a four-way switching valve, a heat exchanger, etc., through a repeater. The repeater connects a first branch unit for connecting one of indoor side heat exchangers of the plurality of units to first connecting tubes or second connecting tubes, and a second branch unit connected to the tubes through second flowrate controllers, and connects the unit to the tubes through a third flowrate controller.
JP 2004 086726A provide a food cooling/heating device having high heat efficiency and capable of simultaneously generating a heating medium cooled by a center cooling/heating unit and a heating medium heated by the center cooling/heating unit and utilizing both the heating media for cooling and heating of food in a terminal cooling/heating unit.

Citation List

Patent Literature

Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2005-140444 (page 4, Fig. 1, etc.)
Patent Literature 2: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 5-280818 ( pages 4 and 5, Fig. 1, etc.)
Patent Literature 3: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2001-289465 (pages 5 to 8, Fig. 1, Fig. 2, etc.)
Patent Literature 4: Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-343936 (page 5, Fig. 1)

Summary of Invention

Technical Problem

Conventional air-conditioning apparatuses used in multi-air-conditioning apparatuses for buildings carry out a cooling operation or a heating operation by circulating, in a plurality of indoor units, a heated or cooled refrigerant that has been supplied from the heat source device of an outdoor unit to the indoor units. Accordingly, when there is a leakage of the refrigerant into an indoor unit, there is a possibility that the entire amount of the refrigerant that is required in all of the indoor units, which are connected to the outdoor unit, leak into the room arranged with the indoor unit from the leaking portion.
Further, conventional air-conditioning apparatuses used in multi-air-conditioning apparatuses for buildings is capable of using the refrigerant in a different manner such as a refrigerant for cooling an indoor unit and as a refrigerant for heating an indoor unit by using an outdoor-indoor relay unit, and is capable of connecting a plurality of outdoor-indoor relay units in parallel. However, the entire amount of refrigerant corresponding to the number of outdoor-indoor relay unit connected to the outdoor unit and of the indoor units is required, and when a refrigerant leakage occurs, there is a possibility that the entire amount of the refrigerant will leak into the room through the leaking portion.
Furthermore, in the chiller system carrying out the heating operation or the cooling operation by heating or cooling the heat medium, such as water or brine, with the heat source device in the outdoor unit and by conveying the heat medium to an indoor unit using a heat medium conveying device, when a plurality of indoor units with a long distance to the outdoor unit are connected to the outdoor unit, much power to convey the heated or cooled heat medium to the indoor units will be required. Thus, the chiller system consumes greater power and is inferior in energy efficiency compared with the conventional air-conditioning apparatuses used in multi-air-conditioning apparatuses for buildings that carry out cooling operation/heating operation by conveying refrigerant to the indoor units.
The invention has been made to obtain an air-conditioning apparatus that is capable of preventing refrigerant leakage on the indoor side by carrying out a heating operation or cooling operation conveying a heat medium, such as water or brine, to the indoor units, and, furthermore, reducing conveyance power more than before. Additionally, the invention can obtain an air-conditioning apparatus that is capable of connecting the same number of indoor units as that of conventional apparatuses.

Solution to Problem

The present invention is as defined in the appended independent claim. Further implementations are provided in the appended dependent claims, description and figures.
In the above air-conditioning apparatus, the outdoor unit and the main relay unit are connected with two pipings, and the main relay unit and each of the one or more sub relay units are connected with three pipings. Advantageous Effects of Invention
The air-conditioning apparatus of the invention exchanges heat between the refrigerant and the heat medium, such as water or brine, through the sub relay units without directly circulating the refrigerant in the room where the indoor unit is arranged in, and achieves heating operation/cooling operation by conveying the heat medium to the indoor unit. Accordingly, even if there is a refrigerant leakage, refrigerant leakage into the room can be prevented. Further, by conveying the refrigerant from the outdoor unit to the main relay unit and to the sub relay units, the sub relay units can be arranged at appropriate positions, and, thus, the conveyance distance of the heat medium can be shortened. With this, the power generated by the heat medium conveying device, such as a pump, can be reduced, and energy saving can be achieved.
Further, by providing a gas-liquid separator in the main relay unit, it will be possible to convey the separated gas and liquid refrigerant to the sub relay units, and to supply either the gas or liquid refrigerant to the plurality of sub relay units.
Furthermore, when a plurality of sub relay units are connected, it will be possible to operate each sub unit such that the heat exchange between the heat medium and the refrigerant is carried out according to the load of the indoor units connected to the sub unit, and it will be possible to have the outdoor unit operate in cooling operation mode or heating operation mode in accordance with the total load of each sub relay unit. Hence, it is possible to carry out a cooling and heating mixed operation with the indoor units that is connected to each sub relay unit.

Brief Description of Drawings

Fig. 1 is a general drawing of an air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment of the invention, and is a system configuration diagram when a plurality of indoor units is connected thereto.
Fig. 2 is a system circuit diagram, which is among system circuit diagrams of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment of the invention, during a heating only operation.
Fig. 3 is a system circuit diagram, which is among the system circuit diagrams of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment of the invention, during a cooling only operation.
Fig. 4 is a system circuit diagram, which is among the system circuit diagrams of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment of the invention, during a cooling main operation.
Fig. 5 is a system circuit diagram, which is among the system circuit diagrams of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment of the invention, during a heating main operation.
[Fig. 6] Among air-conditioning apparatuses according to Embodiment of the invention, Fig. 6 is a system circuit diagram during a heating only operation while a plurality of sub relay units are connected.
[Fig. 7] Among the air-conditioning apparatuses according to Embodiment of the invention, Fig. 7 is a system circuit diagram during a cooling only operation while a plurality of sub relay units are connected.
[Fig. 8] Among the air-conditioning apparatuses according to Embodiment of the invention, Fig. 8 is a system circuit diagram during a cooling main operation while a plurality of sub relay units are connected.
[Fig. 9] Among the air-conditioning apparatuses according to Embodiment of the invention, Fig. 9 is a system circuit diagram during a heating main operation while a plurality of sub relay units are connected.

Description of Embodiment

Embodiment of the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a general drawing of an air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment of the invention, and is a system configuration diagram when a plurality of indoor units is connected thereto. Here, a single main relay unit 2a and a plurality of sub relay units 2b-1 and 2b-2 are connected in-between a heat source device (or an outdoor unit) and indoor units 3. Note that, hereinafter, the sub relay units 2b-1 and 2b-2 may be referred to as just "relay units 2b". The main relay unit 2a is arranged in a space, such as a shared space or a space above a ceiling, in a structure, such as a building, and the main relay unit 2a is connected to the outdoor unit with refrigerant pipings 4. In addition, the sub relay units 2b-1 and 2b-2 are arranged in plural numbers in a space, such as a shared space or a space above a ceiling, in a structure, such as a building, for example, and are connected to the main relay unit 2a with refrigerant pipings 4. The sub relay units are not limited to the one-in-each-floor arrangement as shown in Fig. 1, but are arranged such that the number is in relation to the number of connected indoor units in order to be capable of responding to the load in the indoor spaces that is to be air-conditioned. These sub relay units 2b-1 and 2b-2 are connected to the indoor units 3 with heat medium pipings 5 in which heat medium, such as water or brine, flows therein.
Next, with reference to Fig. 1, an operation of an air-conditioning apparatus of the invention will be briefly described. The refrigerant is conveyed from an outdoor unit 1 to the main relay unit 2a through refrigerant pipings 4, is separated into gas and liquid in the main relay unit 2a, and is conveyed to a plurality of sub relay units 2b-1 and 2b-2 through refrigerant pipings 4. The refrigerant that has been conveyed exchanges heat with the heat medium, such as water or brine, in heat exchangers related to heat medium (described later) in the sub relay units 2b-1 and 2b-2, and hot water or cold water is generated. The hot or cold water generated in the sub relay units 2b-1 or 2b-2 is conveyed by the heat medium conveying device to the indoor units 3 through the heat medium pipings 5, and is used in the indoor units 3 in a heating operation or a cooling operation for an indoor space 7.
With the configuration of the air-conditioning apparatus in Fig. 1, it is possible to arrange the sub relay units 2b in plural numbers in different places in a floor of a structure, such as a building, as illustrated in Fig. 1, for example, because the outdoor-indoor relay unit is separated into the main relay unit 2a and the sub relay units 2b. Accordingly, the sub relay units 2b can be arranged so that the indoor units 3 are arranged within the range of the conveyance limit of the heat medium conveying device which the sub relay units 2b is provided with.
Further, as shown in Fig. 1, since after the refrigerant that has been conveyed from the outdoor unit 1 is separated into gas and liquid by the main relay unit 2a and the refrigerant is conveyed to the sub relay units 2b, it is possible to simultaneously supply the refrigerant required for the load in the sub relay units 2b. Furthermore, waste heat recovered from the one of the sub relay unit 2b-1 may be supplied to the other sub relay unit 2b-2. In addition, the heating operation and the cooling operation can be carried out simultaneously in the plurality of indoor units 3 by supplying hot water and cold water simultaneously from the sub relay units 2b to the indoor units 3.
As regards the refrigerant for the heat source side, a single refrigerant, such as R-22 or R-134a, a near-azeotropic refrigerant mixture, such as R-410A or R-404A, a non-azeotropic refrigerant mixture, such as R-407C, a refrigerant, such as CF₃CF=CH₂, containing a double bond in its chemical formula and having a relatively low global warming potential, a mixture containing the refrigerant, or a natural refrigerant, such as CO₂ or propane, can be used.
As regards the heat medium, for example, water, brine, a mixed solution of brine and water, or a mixed solution of water and an additive with high anticorrosive effect can be used.
Fig. 2 is a system circuit diagram (refrigerant circuit diagram) illustrating an exemplary configuration of the air-conditioning apparatus according to Embodiment of the invention. The operation of this air-conditioning apparatus will be described with reference to Fig. 2. The outdoor unit 1 and the main relay unit 2a are connected with refrigerant pipings 4, and the main relay unit 2a and the sub relay unit 2b-1 are connected through heat exchangers related to heat medium 25a and 25b, which is provided in the sub relay unit 2b-1, with refrigerant pipings 4. Further, the sub relay unit 2b-1 and the indoor units 3 are connected through heat exchangers related to heat medium 25a and 25b, which is provided in the sub relay unit 2b-1, with heat medium pipings 5.

(Outdoor Unit 1)

The outdoor unit 1 is configured with, as its basic elements, a compressor 1 for compressing the refrigerant to a high-temperature high-pressure state and for conveying the refrigerant to the refrigerant channel, a first refrigerant flow switching device 11, such as a four-way valve, that switches the refrigerant flow and the operation mode of the outdoor unit based on the heating operation mode and the cooling operation mode, and a heat source side heat exchanger 12 that functions as an evaporator during the heating operation and as a condenser during the cooling operation. Note that it is preferable that an accumulator 19 is provided that stores excessive refrigerant caused by the difference between the heating operation mode and the cooling operation mode or excessive refrigerant during change in the transitional operation. Each of the above elements is connected in series with the refrigerant piping 4. Further, provided in the outdoor unit 1 are refrigerant connecting pipings 4a and 4b, and check valves 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d to allow the refrigerant to flow in only one direction. By providing the refrigerant connecting pipings 4a and 4b, and the check valves 13a, 13b, 13c, and 13d in the outdoor unit 1, the refrigerant flowing into the main relay unit 2a and the sub relay units 2b can be fixed to a single direction regardless of the operation modes of the indoor units 3.

(Indoor Units 3)

Each of the indoor units 3 is provided with each of the corresponding use side heat exchangers 35 (35a to 35d), and are connected to each of the corresponding heat medium flow control devices 34 (34a to 34d) and heat medium flow switching devices 33 (33a to 33d) in the sub relay units 2b with heat medium pipings 5. In each of the use side heat exchangers 35, the heat medium supplied from the sub relay unit 2b-1 flow therein, and in each of the indoor units 3, heat is exchanged between air supplied from an air-sending device (not illustrated), such as a fan, with the heat medium, and supplies air for heating or air for cooling into the indoor space 7.
Note that in Fig. 2, four indoor units 3 are connected to the sub relay units 2b and four use side heat exchangers 35 are connected to each of the indoor units 3, but the number is not limited to four and can be determined appropriately

(Main Relay Unit 2a)

The main relay unit 2a includes a gas-liquid separator 21 that takes in the refrigerant conveyed from the outdoor unit 1, separates the refrigerant into gas and liquid, and sends them out; and a refrigerant return passage for returning the refrigerant returning from the sub relay units 2b to the outdoor unit 1. Note that the passage in which the gas refrigerant that has been separated in the gas-liquid separator 21 flows through is referred to as a main-unit first refrigerant passage 41, the passage in which the liquid refrigerant that has been separated in the gas-liquid separator flows through via a main-unit expansion device (first expansion device 22) is referred to as a main-unit second refrigerant passage 42, and the passage in which the refrigerant returning from the sub relay unit 2b-1 flows through is referred to as a main-unit third refrigerant passage 43.
Furthermore, the main-unit second refrigerant passage 42 and the main-unit third refrigerant passage are connected by a main-unit bypass passage 44 via another main-unit expansion device (second expansion device 23).
Additionally, before and after the first expansion device 22 in the main relay unit 2a, a first pressure detection device 45a and a second pressure detection device 45b is provided for control use.

(Sub Relay Units 2b)

Each of the sub relay units 2b includes two heat exchangers related to heat medium 25 (here, 25a and 25b). The heat exchangers related to heat medium 25 exchanges heat between the refrigerant on the heat source side and heat medium on the use side, and transfer a cooling energy or a heating energy generated in the outdoor unit 1 and stored in the heat source side refrigerant to the heat medium. Thus, the heat exchangers related to heat medium 25 functions as condensers (radiator) when supplying heated heat medium to the indoor unit 3 under heating operation, and functions as an evaporator when supplying cooled heat medium to the indoor unit 3 under cooling operation. The heat exchanger related to heat medium 25a is disposed between a third refrigerant expansion device 26a and a second refrigerant flow switching device 28a, and is used to cool the heat medium in a cooling only operation and a cooling and heating mixed operation mode. Additionally, the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25b is disposed between a third refrigerant expansion device 26b and a second refrigerant flow switching device 28b, and is used to heat the heat medium in a heating only operation and the cooling and heating mixed operation mode.
Note that as regards each of the third refrigerant expansion device 26a and the third refrigerant expansion device 26b, for example, an electronic expansion valve and the like that can variably control its opening degree is preferable.
As regards each of the second refrigerant flow switching device 28a and the second refrigerant flow switching device 28b, a four-way valve is used, for example, and in accordance with the operation mode of the indoor units 3 (3a to 3d), switches the refrigerant passages so that the heat exchangers related to heat medium 25a and 25b functions as a condenser or an evaporator. The second refrigerant flow switching device 28a is disposed on the downstream side of the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25a, downstream regarding the flow during the cooling operation, and the second refrigerant flow switching device 28b is disposed on the downstream side of the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25b, downstream regarding the flow during the cooling operation.
Each of the second refrigerant flow switching devices 28a and 28b is connected such that switching between the main-unit first refrigerant passage 41 and the refrigerant return passage of the main-unit third refrigerant passage 43 can be performed.
The opposite side of each heat exchanger related to heat medium 25a and 25b to each third refrigerant expansion devices 26a and 26b is connected to the main-unit second refrigerant passage 42.
Note that the passage connecting the second refrigerant flow switching devices 28a and 28b to the main-unit first refrigerant passage 41 is referred to as a sub-unit first refrigerant passage 51, the passage connecting the third expansion devices 26a and 26b to the main-unit second refrigerant passage 42 is referred to as a sub-unit second refrigerant passage 52, and the refrigerant return passage in which the refrigerant returning to the main relay unit 2a flows through is referred to as a sub-unit third refrigerant passage 53.
Further, the sub-unit second refrigerant passage 52 and the sub-unit third refrigerant passage 53 are connected with a sub-unit bypass passage 54 via a fourth expansion device 29. As regards the fourth expansion device 29, an expansion device that controls the opening area of the passage may be used, or an on-off device that opens and closes the passage may be used. When an expansion device is used as the fourth expansion device 29, it will be possible to control the amount of refrigerant flowing in the sub-unit bypass passage 54 between the sub-unit second refrigerant passage 52 and the sub-unit third refrigerant passage 53 by controlling the opening degree depending on the operation state, and it will be possible to control in a more fine manner compared to when using an on-off device.
Heat medium flow switching devices 32 (32a to 32d) and heat medium flow switching devices 33 (33a to 33d) constituted by a three-way valve or the like are each disposed in the sub relay units 2b so as to correspond to each of the indoor units 3 (3a to 3d) to convey the heat medium to the indoor units 3. Each of the heat medium flow switching devices 32 is disposed on an outlet side of a heat medium passage of the corresponding use side heat exchanger 35 such that one of the three ways is connected to the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25a, another one of the three ways is connected to the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25b, and the other one of the three ways is connected to the heat medium flow control device 34. Each of the heat medium flow switching device 33 is disposed on an inlet side of the heat medium passage of the corresponding use side heat exchanger 35 such that one of the three ways is connected to the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25a, another one of the three ways is connected to the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25b, and the other one of the three ways is connected to the use side heat exchanger 35. These heat medium flow switching devices 32 and 33 are disposed in the same number as the disposed number of the indoor units 3, and switch the passage of the heat medium flowing in the indoor units 3 between the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25a and the heat medium flow switching device 25b. Note that the switching stated here is referred to not only switching passages from one to the other completely, but also includes switching passages from one to the other partially.
The heat medium flow control devices 34 control the amount of heat medium flowing into the indoor units 3 by detection of temperature of the heat medium flowing into and flowing out of the indoor units 3, and thus is capable of supplying the optimum amount of heat medium in relation to the indoor load. Note that in Fig. 2, although each of the heat medium flow control devices 34 are disposed between corresponding use side heat exchangers 35 and heat medium flow switching devices 32, each of the heat medium flow control devices 34 may be disposed between corresponding use side heat exchangers 35 and the heat medium flow switching devices 33. Further, in the indoor units 3, during suspension, thermo-off, or the like, when no load is demanded from the air-conditioning apparatus, the heat medium flow control devices 34 may be totally closed and the supply of the heat medium to the indoor units 3 may be stopped.
Furthermore, in the sub relay units 2b, heat medium conveying devices 31 (31a and 31b) corresponding to each of the heat exchangers related to heat medium 25a and 25b are provided to convey the heat medium, such as water or brine, to each of the indoor units 3. Each of the heat medium conveying devices 31 is, for example, a pump and is disposed in the heat medium piping 5 between each of the heat exchangers related to heat medium 25a and 25b and the heat medium flow switching devices 33. The heat medium conveying devices 31 are capable of controlling the flow rate of the heat medium based on the amount of load demanded by the indoor units 3.
As described above, by adopting the above configuration of the Embodiment, an optimum cooling operation or heating operation can be achieved in accordance with each indoor load.
Figs. 2, 3, 4, and 5 are system configurations of the above, illustrating the flows of the refrigerant and the heat medium according to each operation mode when a single sub relay unit 2b is provided to a single main relay unit 2a and when four indoor units 3 are provided to the sub relay unit 2b. Note that one or more sub relay units 2b may be connected to the main relay unit 2a. Further, the number of indoor units 3 connected to the sub relay unit 2b is not limited to four.
The flows of the refrigerant and the heat medium according to each operation mode will be described hereinafter. As regards the operation modes of the above air-conditioning apparatus, there is a heating only operation mode in which all of the driving indoor units 3 perform heating operation, and a cooling only operation mode in which all of the driving indoor units 3 perform cooling operation. In addition to these modes, there is a cooling main operation mode in which the load of the indoor units that are performing cooling operation is larger in a mixed operation mode in which cooling operation and heating operation is mixed on the indoor units 3 side, and there is a heating main operation mode in which the load of the indoor units that are performing heating operation is larger in the mixed operation mode in which cooling operation and heating operation is mixed on the indoor units 3 side. Here, the flows of the refrigerant and the heat medium will be each described such that in Fig. 2, the heating only operation mode, in Fig. 3, the cooling only operation mode, in Fig. 4, the cooling main operation mode, and in Fig. 5, the heating main operation mode will be described.
Fig. 2 illustrates the flows of the refrigerant during the heating only operation mode of the air-conditioning apparatus. In the refrigerant circuit in Fig. 2, the circuit with thick lines shows the refrigerant flow during the heating only operation mode. In addition, the flow direction of the heat source side refrigerant is depicted with solid line arrows, and the flow direction of the heat medium is depicted with broken line arrows.
A low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant flows into the compressor 10 and is discharged as a high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant. The discharged high-temperature high-pressure refrigerant passes through the first refrigerant flow switching device 11 and the check valve 13a, flows through the refrigerant piping 4, and flows into the main relay unit 2a. Note that the first refrigerant flow switching device 11 is switched such that the high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 does not pass through the heat source side heat exchanger 12 in the outdoor unit 1 and is sent out from the outdoor unit 1. The gas refrigerant that has flowed into the main relay unit 2a passes through a gas side in the gas-liquid separator 21 and is sent out to the sub relay unit 2b, is branched and flows into the second refrigerant flow switching devices 28a and 28b in the sub relay unit 2b-1. Here, the first expansion device 22 is closed, the opening degree of the second expansion device 23 is controlled such that the pressure is constant in the second pressure detection device 45b, and the second refrigerant flow switching devices 28a and 28b are switched to the heating side. Each gas refrigerant that has passed through the second refrigerant flow switching devices 28a and 28b flows though the heat exchangers related to heat medium 25a and 25b and exchanges heat with the heat medium, such as water or brine, therein. Each refrigerant that has exchanged heat with the heat medium and has turned into a high-temperature high-pressure liquid refrigerant, passes through the third expansion devices 26a and 26b, is expanded, and is turned into a medium pressure liquid refrigerant. Each medium pressure liquid refrigerant that has passed through the third expansion devices 26a and 26b merges and flows into the main relay unit 2a. Note that at this time, the fourth expansion device 29 is totally closed and does not perform its expansion function. Further, when an on-off device is used as the fourth expansion device 29, the on-off device is closed during the heating only operation mode. The middle pressure liquid refrigerant that has flowed into the main relay unit 2a passes through the second expansion device 23 and turns into a low-temperature low-pressure, two-phase refrigerant having gas and liquid mixed therein, and passes through the refrigerant piping 4 and is conveyed to the outdoor unit 1. The low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant that has been conveyed to the outdoor unit 1 passes through the check valve 13b and flows into the heat source side heat exchanger 12, turns into a low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant by exchanging heat with the outdoor space 6, passes through the first refrigerant flow switching device 11, flows into the accumulator 19, and is returned to the compressor 10.
Next, the flow of the heat medium in the heating only operation mode in Fig. 2 will be described. As described above, the heat medium, such as water or brine, exchanges heat with the high-temperature high-pressure refrigerant in the heat exchangers related to heat medium 25a and 25b, and turns into a high-temperature heat medium. Each of the heat medium that has been turned into a high temperature heat medium in the heat exchangers related to heat medium 25a and 25b is conveyed to the indoor units 3 by each of the heat medium conveying devices 31a and 31b that is connected to the heat exchangers related to heat medium 25a and 25b. Each heat medium that has been conveyed passes through the heat medium flow switching device (inlet side) 33 that is connected to each indoor units 3, and the flow rate of the heat medium flowing into each of the indoor units 3 is controlled in each of the heat medium flow control devices 34. Note that at this time, in order to supply the heat medium conveyed from both of the heat exchangers related to heat medium 25a and 25b to the heat medium flow control devices 34 and the indoor units 3, each of the heat medium flow switching devices 33 is controlled such that the opening degree is at an intermediate degree or the opening degree is in accordance with the temperature of the heat medium at the outlet of the heat exchangers related to heat medium 25a and 25b. The heat medium that has flowed into each of the indoor units 3, which is connected to the heat medium pipings 5, performs heating operation by exchanging heat in the use side heat exchanger 35 with the indoor air of the indoor space 7. The heat medium that has exchanged heat in the use side heat exchangers 35 passes through the heat medium pipings 5 and the heat medium flow control devices 34, and is conveyed into the sub relay unit 2b. The conveyed heat medium is made to flow to each of the heat exchangers related to heat medium 25a and 25b through the heat medium flow switching devices (outlet side) 32, receives the quantity of heat, which has been supplied to the indoor space 7 through the indoor units 3, from the refrigerant side, and is conveyed to the heat medium conveying devices 32a and 31b again.
Fig. 3 illustrates the flows of the refrigerant during the cooling only operation mode of the air-conditioning apparatus above mentioned. In the refrigerant circuit in Fig. 3, the circuit with thick lines shows the refrigerant flow during the cooling only operation mode. In addition, the flow direction of the heat source side refrigerant is depicted with solid line arrows, and the flow direction of the heat medium is depicted with broken line arrows.
A low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant flows into the compressor 10 and is discharged as a high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant. The discharged high-temperature high-pressure refrigerant passes through the first refrigerant flow switching device 11 in the outdoor unit 1, is made to exchange heat by the heat source side heat exchanger 12 in the outdoor unit, and is turned into a high-temperature high-pressure liquid refrigerant. Note that the first refrigerant flow switching device 11 is switched such that the high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 passes through the heat source side heat exchanger 12 in the outdoor unit 1. The high-temperature high-pressure liquid refrigerant passes through the check valve 13a, flows through the refrigerant piping 4, and flows into the main relay unit 2a. The high-temperature high-pressure liquid refrigerant that has flowed into the main relay unit 2a passes through a liquid side in the gas-liquid separator 21 and is sent out to the sub relay unit 2b. At this time, the opening degree of the first expansion device 22 is controlled so that the pressure of the second pressure detection device 45b is constant. The first expansion device 22 turns the high-temperature high-pressure liquid refrigerant into a middle pressure liquid refrigerant and sends out to the refrigerant to the sub relay unit 2b. The refrigerant is expanded by passing through the third expansion devices 26a and 26b, which are disposed on the upstream side of the heat exchangers related to heat medium 25a and 25b in the sub relay unit 2b, and is turned into a low-temperature low-pressure two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant. Here, the second expansion devices 23 are totally closed and the second refrigerant flow switching devices 28a and 28b are switched to the cooling side. The low-temperature low-pressure two-phase refrigerant exchanges heat with the heat medium, such as water or brine, in the heat exchangers related to heat medium 25a and 25b by passing therethrough, and turns into a low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant. The low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant passes through each of the second refrigerant flow switching devices 28a and 28b, flows through the main relay unit 2a, and is conveyed to the outdoor unit 1 through the refrigerant piping 4. Note that the fourth expansion device 29 is totally closed. Further, the fourth expansion device 29 may be an on-off device, and during the cooling only operation mode, the on-off device is closed. The low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant that has been conveyed to the outdoor unit 1 passes through the check valve 13d, is guided into the accumulator 19 by the first refrigerant flow switching device 11, and is returned to the compressor 1.
Next, the flow of the heat medium in the cooling only operation mode in Fig. 3 will be described. As described above, each of the heat medium, such as water or brine, is turned into a low temperature heat medium in the heat exchangers related to heat medium 25a and 25b, and is conveyed to the indoor units 3 side by each of the heat medium conveying devices 31a and 31b that is connected to the heat exchangers related to heat medium 25a and 25b. Each heat medium that has been conveyed passes through the heat medium flow switching device (inlet side) 33 that is connected to each indoor units 3, and the flow rate of the heat medium flowing into each of the indoor units 3 is controlled in each of the heat medium flow control devices 34. Note that at this time, in order to supply the heat medium conveyed from both of the heat exchangers related to heat medium 25a and 25b to the heat medium flow control devices 34 and the indoor units 3, each of the heat medium flow switching devices 33 is controlled such that the opening degree is at an intermediate degree or the opening degree is in accordance with the temperature of the heat medium at the outlet of the heat exchangers related to heat medium 25a and 25b. The heat medium that has flowed into each of the indoor units 3, which is connected to the heat medium pipings 5, performs cooling operation by exchanging heat in the use side heat exchanger 35 with the indoor air of the indoor space 7. The heat medium that has exchanged heat in the use side heat exchangers 35 passes through the heat medium pipings 5 and the heat medium flow control devices 34, and is conveyed into the sub relay unit 2b. The conveyed heat medium flows into each of the heat exchangers related to heat medium 25a and 25b through the heat medium flow switching devices (outlet side) 32, transfers the quantity of heat, which has been transferred to the heat medium from the indoor space 7 through the indoor units 3, to the refrigerant side, thus turning low in temperature, and is conveyed to the heat medium conveying device 31a and 31b again.
Fig. 4 illustrates the flows of the refrigerant during the cooling main operation mode of the air-conditioning apparatus above mentioned. In the refrigerant circuit in Fig. 4, the circuit with thick lines shows the refrigerant flow during the cooling main operation mode. In addition, the flow direction of the heat source side refrigerant is depicted with solid line arrows, and the flow direction of the heat medium is depicted with broken line arrows.
A low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant flows into the compressor 10 and is discharged as a high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant. The discharged high-temperature high-pressure refrigerant passes through the first refrigerant flow switching device 11 in the outdoor unit 1, exchanges the heat capacity in the refrigerant, transferred at the heat source side heat exchanger 12, except for the amount required by the indoor units 3, out of all the indoor units, undergoing the heating operation mode, and turns into a high-temperature high-pressure gas or two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant. Note that the first refrigerant flow switching device 11 is switched such that the high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 passes through the heat source side heat exchanger 12 in the outdoor unit 1. The high-temperature high-pressure gas or two-phase refrigerant passes through the check valve 13a, flows through the refrigerant piping 4, and flows into the main relay unit 2a. The high-temperature high-pressure gas or two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the main relay unit 2a is separated into gas refrigerant and liquid refrigerant in the gas-tiquid separator 21 and is sent out to the sub relay unit 2b. Based on the pressure difference between the first pressure detection device 45a, which is the inlet pressure of the first expansion device 22 itself, and the second pressure detection device 45b, which it the outlet pressure, the opening degree of the first expansion device 22 is controlled so that the pressure difference can be maintained to be constant. Note that the second expansion device 23 is totally closed. Among the second refrigerant flow switching device 28a and the second refrigerant flow switching device 28b in the sub relay unit 2b, the second refrigerant flow switching device 28a is switched to the cooling side, and the second refrigerant flow switching device 28b to the heating side. The gas refrigerant, which has flowed through the second refrigerant flow switching device 28b and into the sub relay unit 2b, flows into the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25b. The high-temperature high-pressure gas or two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25b provides quantity of heat to the heat medium, such as water or brine, that has also flowed into the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25b, and turns into a high-temperature high-pressure liquid refrigerant. The refrigerant that has turned into a high-temperature high-pressure liquid is expanded by passing through the third expansion device 26b, and turns into a medium pressure liquid refrigerant. In addition, here, the third expansion device 26b is controlled so that the degree of subcooling of the refrigerant in the outlet of the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25b becomes a target value. The refrigerant that has turned into a middle pressure two-phase refrigerant passes through the third expansion device 26a, turns into a low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant, and flows into the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25a. The refrigerant exchanges heat with the heat medium in the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25a by receiving quantity of heat from the heat medium, such as water or brine, that has also flowed into the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25a, and turns into a low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant. In addition, here, the third expansion device 26a, which the refrigerant passes through, is controlled so that the degree of superheat of the refrigerant that has passed through the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25a and has exchanged heat becomes a target value. Further, the fourth expansion device 29 is totally closed. The low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant passes through the second refrigerant flow switching device 28a, flows through the main relay unit 2a, and is conveyed to the outdoor unit 1 through the refrigerant piping 4. The low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant that has been conveyed to the outdoor unit 1 passes through the check valve 13d, is guided into the accumulator 19 by the first refrigerant flow switching device 11, and is returned to the compressor 1.
Next, the flow of the heat medium in the cooling main operation mode in Fig. 4 will be described. As aforedescribed, the heat medium that has been tuned into a heat medium of low temperature by the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25a is conveyed by the heat medium conveying device 31a connected to the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25a, and the heat medium that has been turned into a heat medium of high temperature by the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25b is conveyed by the heat medium conveying device 31b connected to the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25b. Each heat medium that has been conveyed passes through the heat medium flow switching device (inlet side) 33 that is connected to each indoor units 3, and the flow rate of the heat medium flowing into each of the indoor units 3 is controlled in each of the heat medium flow control devices 34. Note that when the indoor unit 3 that is connected to the heat medium flow switching device 33 is in the heating operation mode, the heat medium flow switching device 33 switches to the direction in which the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25b and the heat medium conveying device 31b are connected to, and when the indoor unit 3 that is connected to the heat medium flow switching device 33 is in the cooling operation mode, the heat medium flow switching device 33 switches to the direction in which the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25a and the heat medium conveying device 31a are connected to. That is, depending on the operation mode of the indoor units 3, the heat medium that is supplied to the indoor units 3 can be switched to hot water or cold water. The heat medium that has flowed into each of the indoor units 3, which is connected to the heat medium pipings 5, performs heating operation or cooling operation by exchanging heat in the use side heat exchanger 35 with the indoor air of the indoor space 7. The heat medium that has exchanged heat in the use side heat exchangers 35 passes through the heat medium pipings 5 and the heat medium flow control devices 34, and is conveyed into the sub relay unit 2b. The heat medium that has been conveyed flows into the heat medium flow switching devices (outlet side) 32. When the indoor unit 3 that is connected to the heat medium flow switching device 32 is in the heating operation mode, the heat medium flow switching device 33 switches to the direction in which the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25b is connected to, and when the indoor unit 3 that is connected to the heat medium flow switching device 33 is in the cooling operation mode, the heat medium flow switching device 33 switches to the direction in which the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25a is connected to. Accordingly, the heat medium that has been used in the heating operation mode is appropriately conveyed to the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25b where the refrigerant is transferring heat for heating, and the heat medium that has been used in the cooling operation mode is appropriately conveyed to the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25a where the refrigerant is receiving heat for cooling, and after each heat medium have exchanged heat with the refrigerant once more, the heat medium is sent to the heat medium conveying devices 31a and 31b.
Fig. 5 is a system circuit diagram illustrating the flows of the refrigerants in the heating main operation mode of the above air-conditioning apparatus. In the refrigerant circuit in Fig. 5, the circuit with thick lines shows the refrigerant flow during the heating main operation mode. In addition, the flow direction of the heat source side refrigerant is depicted with solid line arrows, and the flow direction of the heat medium is depicted with broken line arrows.
A low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant flows into the compressor 10 and is discharged as a high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant. The discharged high-temperature high-pressure refrigerant passes through the first refrigerant flow switching device 11 and the check valve 13c, flows through the refrigerant piping 4, and flows into the main relay unit 2a. Note that the first refrigerant flow switching device 11 is switched such that the high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 does not pass through the heat source side heat exchanger 12 in the outdoor unit 1 and is sent out from the outdoor unit 1. The high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the main relay unit 2a passes through the gas side in the gas-liquid separator 21 and is sent out to the sub relay unit 2b, passes through the second refrigerant flow switching device 28b in the sub relay unit 2b, and flows into the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25b. Here, the first expansion device 22 is closed, and the opening degree of the second expansion device 23 is controlled so that the pressure of the second pressure detection device 45b is constant. Further, among the second refrigerant flow switching device 28a and the second refrigerant flow switching device 28b in the sub relay unit 2b-1, the second refrigerant flow switching device 28a is switched to the cooling side and the second refrigerant flow switching device 28b to the heating side. The high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the sub relay unit 2b-1 and has passed through the second refrigerant flow switching device 28b flows into the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25b, transfers quantity of heat to the heat medium, such as water or brine, that is also flowing into the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25 b, and turns into a high-temperature high-pressure liquid. The refrigerant that has turned into a high-temperature high-pressure liquid is expanded by passing through the third expansion device 26b, and turns into a medium pressure liquid refrigerant. In addition, here, the third expansion device 26b is controlled so that the degree of subcooling of the refrigerant in the outlet of the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25b becomes a target value. The refrigerant that has turned into a middle pressure two-phase refrigerant passes through the third expansion device 26a, turns into a low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant, and flows into the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25a. The refrigerant receives quantity of heat from the heat medium, such as water or brine, that is also flowing into the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25a. In addition, here, the third expansion device 26a, which the refrigerant passes through, is controlled so that the degree of superheat of the refrigerant that has passed through the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25a and has exchanged heat becomes a target value. Further, the refrigerant that has passed through the second refrigerant flow switching device 28a, flows through the main relay unit 2a, and is conveyed to the outdoor unit 1 through the refrigerant piping 4. Furthermore, here, the fourth expansion device 29 is totally closed. The low-temperature low-pressure two-phase refrigerant that has been conveyed to the outdoor unit 1 passes through the check valve 13b, exchanges heat with the outdoor space 6 by passing through the heat source side heat exchanger 12, turns into a low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant, flows into the accumulator 19 through the first refrigerant flow switching device 11, and is returned to the compressor 10.
Next, the flow of the heat medium in the heating main mode in Fig. 5 will be described. As described previously, each of the heat medium, such as water or brine, that has been tuned into a heat medium of low temperature by the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25a is conveyed by the heat medium conveying device 31a connected to the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25a, and the heat medium that has been turned into a heat medium of high temperature by the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25b is conveyed by the heat medium conveying device 31b connected to the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25b. Each heat medium that has been conveyed passes through the heat medium flow switching device (inlet side) 33 that is connected to each indoor units 3, and the flow rate of the heat medium flowing into each of the indoor units 3 is controlled in each of the heat medium flow control devices 34. When the indoor unit 3 that is connected to the heat medium flow switching device 33 is in the heating operation mode, the heat medium flow switching device 33 switches to the direction in which the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25b and the heat medium conveying device 31b are connected to, and when the indoor unit 3 that is connected to the heat medium flow switching device 33 is in the cooling operation mode, the heat medium flow switching device 33 switches to the direction in which the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25a and the heat medium conveying device 31a are connected to. That is, depending on the operation mode of the indoor units 3, the heat medium that is supplied to the indoor units 3 can be switched to hot water or cold water. The heat medium that has flowed into each of the indoor units, which is connected to the heat medium pipings 5, performs heating operation or cooling operation by exchanging heat in the use side heat exchanger 35 with the indoor air of the indoor space 7. The heat medium that has exchanged heat in the use side heat exchangers 35 passes through the heat medium pipings 5 and the heat medium flow control devices 34, and is conveyed into the sub relay unit 2b. The heat medium that has been conveyed flows into the heat medium flow switching devices (outlet side) 32. When the indoor unit 3 that is connected to the heat medium flow switching device 32 is in the heating operation mode, the heat medium flow switching device 33 switches to the direction in which the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25b is connected to, and when the indoor unit 3 that is connected to the heat medium flow switching device 33 is in the cooling operation mode, the heat medium flow switching device 33 switches to the direction in which the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25a is connected to. Accordingly, the heat medium that has been used in the heating operation mode is conveyed to the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25b where the refrigerant is transferring heat for heating, and the heat medium that has been used in the cooling operation mode is conveyed to the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25a where the refrigerant is receiving heat for cooling, and after each heat medium have exchanged heat with the refrigerant once more, the heat medium is sent to the heat medium conveying devices 31a and 31b.
Figs. 6, 7, 8, and 9 are configuration diagrams of refrigerant circuits according to another Embodiment of the invention. In Figs. 6 to 9, the flows of a refrigerant and a heat medium according to each operation mode when a plurality of sub relay units 2b is provided to a single main relay unit 2a and when four indoor units 3 are provided to each of the sub relay units 2b. In the operation mode of this air-conditioning apparatus, there is a heating only operation mode in which all of the driving indoor units 3 are undergoing heating operation, and a cooling only operation mode in which all of the driving indoor units 3 are undergoing cooling operation, in which the indoor units 3 are connected to the sub relay units 2b that is all connected to the main relay unit 2a. In addition to these modes, there is a cooling main operation mode in which the ratio of the load of the cooling operation mode is greater in the total operation load in which all of the indoor units 3 that is connected to the sub relay units 2b are undergoing a mixed operation of the cooling operation and heating operation, and there is a heating main operation mode in which the ratio of the load of the heating operation mode is greater in the total operation load in which the indoor units 3 are undergoing a mixed operation of the cooling operation and heating operation. Hereinafter, the flows of the refrigerant and the heat medium will be described such that in Fig. 6, the heating only operation mode, in Fig. 7, the cooling only operation mode, in Fig. 8, the cooling main operation mode, and in Fig. 9, the heating main operation mode will be described.
Note that in Figs. 6 to 8, although system diagrams with four sub relay units 2b connected to the main relay unit 2a are shown, two out of the four are schematically illustrated, and in the system operation described hereinafter, a system operation with two sub relay units 2b is described. However, even with more than four sub relay units 2b, the operation of the sub relay units 2b is the same. Further, the number of sub relay units 2b to the main relay unit 2a is not limited to four, and the number of indoor units to the sub relay units 2b is not limited to four. Note that in the operation of the system described hereinafter, the flows of the heat medium are the same as each operation mode in Figs. 2 to 5. Accordingly, description thereof will be omitted.
Fig. 6 is a system circuit diagram (refrigerant circuit diagram) illustrating the flows of the refrigerants in the heating only operation mode. In the refrigerant circuit in Fig. 6, the circuit with thick lines shows the refrigerant flow during the heating only operation mode. In addition, the flow direction of the refrigerant is depicted with solid line arrows, and the flow direction of the heat medium is depicted with broken line arrows.
A low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant flows into a compressor 10 and is discharged as a high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant. The discharged high-temperature high-pressure refrigerant passes through a first refrigerant flow switching device 11 and a check valve 13c, flows through a refrigerant piping 4, and flows into a main relay unit 2a. Note that the first refrigerant flow switching device 11 is switched such that the high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 does not pass through a heat source side heat exchanger 12 in an outdoor unit 1 and is sent out from the outdoor unit 1. The gas refrigerant that has flowed into the main relay unit 2a passes through a gas side in a gas-liquid separator 21, is sent out from the main relay unit 2a, is branched, and is conveyed to each sub relay units 2b-1, 2b-2, 2b-3, and 2b-4.. Here, a first expansion device 22 is closed, and the opening degree of a second expansion device 23 is controlled so that the pressure of a second pressure detection device 45b is constant. The high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant sent out from the main relay unit 2a is branched and flows into each sub relay units 2b-1, 2b-2, 2b-3, and 2b-4. Note that in the heating only operation mode, the second refrigerant flow switching devices 28a and 28b are each switched to the heating side. The refrigerant that has passed through the second refrigerant flow switching devices 28a and 28b in each sub relay units, further flows though heat exchangers related to heat medium 25a and 25b and exchanges heat with the heat medium, such as water or brine, therein. The refrigerant that has exchanged heat with the heat medium turns into a high-temperature high-pressure liquid refrigerant. The refrigerant that has turned into a high-temperature high-pressure liquid refrigerant is each expanded by passing through third expansion devices 26a and 26b, and turns into a medium pressure liquid refrigerant. Each refrigerant that has been turned into a medium pressure liquid refrigerant in the third expansion devices 26a and 26b are merged, passes through a sub-unit second refrigerant passage 52, sent out from each sub relay units 2b-1, 2b-2, 2b-3, and 2b-4, merges, and flows into the main relay unit 2a. Note that at this time, a fourth expansion device 29 is totally closed and does not perform its expansion function. The medium pressure liquid refrigerant that has flowed out of each sub relay units 2b-1, 2b-2, 2b-3, and 2b-4, that has merged, and that has flowed into the main relay unit 2a, passes through the second expansion device 23 in which the opening degree is controlled such that the pressure of the second pressure detection device 45b is constant, turns into a low-temperature low-pressure two-phase refrigerant having gas and liquid mixed therein, passes through the refrigerant piping 4, and is conveyed to the outdoor unit 1. The low-temperature low-pressure two-phase refrigerant that has been conveyed to the outdoor unit 1 passes through a check valve 13b and flows into the heat source side heat exchanger 12, turns into a low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant by exchanging heat with an outdoor space 6, passes through the first refrigerant flow switching device 11, flows into an accumulator 19, and is returned to the compressor 10.
Fig. 7 is a system circuit diagram (refrigerant circuit diagram) illustrating the flows of the refrigerants in the cooling only operation mode of the above air-conditioning apparatus. In the refrigerant circuit in Fig. 7, the circuit with thick lines shows the refrigerant flow during the cooling only operation mode. In addition, the flow direction of the heat source side refrigerant is depicted with solid line arrows, and the flow direction of the heat medium is depicted with broken line arrows.
A low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant flows into the compressor 10 and is discharged as a high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant. The discharged high-temperature high-pressure refrigerant passes through the first refrigerant flow switching device 11 in the outdoor unit 1, is made to exchange heat by the heat source side heat exchanger 12 in the outdoor unit, and is turned into a high-temperature high-pressure liquid refrigerant. The first refrigerant flow switching device 11 is switched such that the high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 passes through the heat source side heat exchanger 12 in the outdoor unit 1. The high-temperature high-pressure liquid refrigerant passes through a check valve 13a, flows through the refrigerant piping 4, and flows into the main relay unit 2a. The high-temperature high-pressure liquid refrigerant that has flowed into the main relay unit 2a passes through a liquid side in the gas-liquid separator 21 and is sent out from the main relay unit 2a. At this time, the opening degree of the first expansion device 22 is controlled so that the pressure of the second pressure detection device 45b is constant. The first expansion device 22 turns the high-temperature high-pressure liquid refrigerant into a middle pressure liquid refrigerant and sends it out from the refrigerant to the main relay unit 2a. The middle pressure liquid refrigerant that has been sent out is branched and flows into each sub relay units 2b-1, 2b-2, 2b-3, and 2b-4. Here, the second expansion device 23 is totally closed. Further, in the cooling only operation mode, the second refrigerant flow switching devices 28a and 28b in each sub relay units are each switched to the cooling side. The middle pressure liquid refrigerant that has flowed into each sub relay units is expanded by passing through the third expansion devices 26a and 26b, which are disposed on the upstream side of the heat exchangers related to heat medium 25a and 25b, and turns into a low-temperature low-pressure two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant. The low-temperature low-pressure two-phase refrigerant exchanges heat with the heat medium, such as water or brine, in the heat exchangers related to heat medium 25a and 25b by passing therethrough, and turns into a low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant. The low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant passes through each of the second refrigerant flow switching devices 28a and 28b, is sent out from each sub relay units 2b-1, 2b-2, 2b-3, and 2b-4, is merged, flows through the main relay unit 2a, and is conveyed to the outdoor unit 1 through the refrigerant piping 4. Note that the fourth expansion device 29 (29-1 and 29-2 are illustrated only) is totally closed. The low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant that has been conveyed to the outdoor unit 1 passes through a check valve 13d, is guided into the accumulator 19 by the first refrigerant flow switching device 11, and is returned to the compressor 1.
Fig. 8 is a system circuit diagram (refrigerant circuit diagram) illustrating the flows of the refrigerants in the cooling main operation mode of the above air-conditioning apparatus. In the refrigerant circuit in Fig. 8, the circuit with thick lines shows the refrigerant flow during the cooling main operation mode. In addition, the flow direction of the heat source side refrigerant is depicted with solid line arrows, and the flow direction of the heat medium is depicted with broken line arrows.
In Fig. 8, among the indoor units 3 that are connected to the sub relay units 2b-1, 2b-2, 2b-3, and 2b-4, the load of the indoor units 3 in the cooling operation is sufficiently greater compared to the load of the indoor units 3 in the heating operation mode, and all of the indoor units 3 that is connected to the sub relay unit 2b-1 is in heating operation and all of the indoor units 3 that is connected to the sub relay unit 2b-2 is in cooling operation.
A low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant flows into the compressor 10 and is discharged as a high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant. The discharged high-temperature high-pressure refrigerant passes through the first refrigerant flow switching device 11 in the outdoor unit 1, exchanges the heat capacity in the refrigerant, transferred at the heat source side heat exchanger 12 in the outdoor unit 1, except for the amount required by the indoor units 3, out of all the indoor units, undergoing the heating operation mode, and turns into a high-temperature high-pressure gas or two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant. Note that the first refrigerant flow switching device 11 is switched such that the high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 passes through the heat source side heat exchanger 12 in the outdoor unit 1. The high-temperature high-pressure gas or two-phase refrigerant passes through the check valve 13a, flows through the refrigerant piping 4, and flows into the main relay unit 2a. Out of the high-temperature high-pressure gas or two-phase refrigerant that has flowed into the main relay unit 2a, the gas refrigerant passes through the gas side and the liquid refrigerant passes through the liquid side of the gas-liquid separator 21 and is sent out from the main relay unit 2a. Based on the pressure difference between the first pressure detection device 45a, which is the inlet pressure of the first expansion device 22 itself, and the second pressure detection device 45b, which it the outlet pressure, the opening degree of the first expansion device 22 is controlled so that the pressure difference can be maintained to be constant. Further, the second expansion device 23 is totally closed. As regards the gas refrigerant and the liquid refrigerant that has been sent out, among the sub relay units 2b-1, 2b-2, 2b-3, and 2b-4, gas refrigerant is supplied to the sub relay units that is connected to the indoor units 3 that is undergoing heating operation, and liquid refrigerant is supplied to the sub relay units that is connected to the indoor units 3 that is undergoing cooling operation. Accordingly, as regards the sub relay unit 2b-1 in which the indoor units 3 are only undergoing heating operation, gas refrigerant is supplied from the main relay unit 2a. The refrigerant passes through each of the second refrigerant flow switching devices 28a-1and 28b-1 in the sub relay unit 2b-1 and exchanges heat with the heat medium, such as water or brine, in the heat exchangers related to heat medium 25a-1 and 25b-1 by passing therethrough. Here, the second refrigerant flow switching devices 28a-1 and 28b-1 are switched to the heating side. The refrigerant that has exchanged heat with the heat medium, such as water or brine, turns into a high-temperature high-pressure liquid refrigerant, is expanded by passing through the third expansion devices 26a-1 and 26b-1, and is turned into a medium pressure liquid refrigerant. Each refrigerant that has been turned into a medium pressure liquid refrigerant in the third expansion devices 26a-1 and 26b-1 are merged, passes through a sub-unit second refrigerant passage 52, is sent out from the sub relay unit 2b-1, and a part flows into the main relay unit 2a. Here, the fourth expansion device 29-1 is totally closed. Note that the fourth expansion device 29 may be an on-off device, and during the cooling main operation mode, the on-off device is closed. Further, the remaining refrigerant is sent out to, among the other sub relay units, the sub relay units 2b in which the connected indoor units are undergoing heating operation, specifically, a low-temperature low-pressure two-phase refrigerant is sent out to the sub relay unit 2b-2 in Fig. 8.
In the sub relay unit 2b-2, the middle pressure liquid refrigerant that has been conveyed from the main relay unit 2a and the middle pressure liquid refrigerant that has been conveyed from the sub relay unit 2b-1 are merged, and are sent into the sub relay unit 2b-2. The refrigerant that has been sent in is expanded by passing through the third expansion devices 26a-2 and 26b-2, which are disposed on the upstream side of the heat exchangers related to heat medium 25a-2 and 25b-2, and is turned into a low-temperature low-pressure two-phase gas-liquid refrigerant. The low-temperature low-pressure two-phase refrigerant exchanges heat with the heat medium, such as water or brine, in the heat exchangers related to heat medium 25a-2 and 25b-2 by passing therethrough, and turns into a low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant. The low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant passes through each of the second refrigerant flow switching devices 28a-2 and 28b-2, is sent out from the sub relay unit 2b-2, is merged with the refrigerant that has been sent out from each sub relay units, flows through the main relay unit 2a, and is conveyed to the outdoor unit 1 through the refrigerant piping 4. Here, the second refrigerant flow switching devices 28a and 28b are switched to the cooling side. Further, the fourth expansion device 29-2 is totally closed. The low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant that has been conveyed to the outdoor unit 1 passes through the check valve 13d, is guided into the accumulator 19 by the first refrigerant flow switching device 11, and is returned to the compressor 1.
Fig. 9 is a system circuit diagram (refrigerant circuit diagram) illustrating the flows of the refrigerants in the heating main operation mode of the above air-conditioning apparatus. In the refrigerant circuit in Fig. 9, the circuit with thick lines shows the refrigerant flow during the heating main operation mode. In addition, the flow direction of the heat source side refrigerant is depicted with solid line arrows, and the flow direction of the heat medium is depicted with broken line arrows.
In Fig. 9, among the indoor units 3 that are connected to the sub relay units 2b-1, 2b-2, 2b-3, and 2b-4, the load of the indoor units 3 in the heating operation is sufficiently greater compared to the load of the indoor units 3 in the cooling operation mode, and all of the indoor units 3 that is connected to the sub relay unit 2b-1 is in heating operation and the indoor units 3 that is connected to the sub relay unit 2b-2 is in the mixed operation of the cooling operation and heating operation.
A low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant flows into the compressor 10 and is discharged as a high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant. The discharged high-temperature high-pressure refrigerant passes through the first refrigerant flow switching device 11 and the check valve 13c, flows through a refrigerant piping 4, and flows into the main relay unit 2a. The first refrigerant flow switching device 11 is switched such that the high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant discharged from the compressor 10 does not pass through the heat source side heat exchanger 12 in an outdoor unit 1 and is sent out from the outdoor unit 1. The high-temperature high-pressure liquid refrigerant that has flowed into the main relay unit 2a passes through the liquid side in the gas-liquid separator 21 and is sent out from the main relay unit 2a. Here, the first expansion device 22 is closed, and the opening degree of the second expansion device 23 is changed so that the pressure of the second pressure detection device 45b is constant. The gas refrigerant that has been sent out from the main relay unit 2a is supplied, among the sub relay units 2b, to the sub relay units 2b in which the connected indoor units 3 are undergoing heating operation, specifically the refrigerant is branched and supplied into 2b-1 and 2b-2. In the sub relay unit 2b-1 in which the connected indoor units 3 are only undergoing heating operation, gas refrigerant is supplied from the main relay unit 2a. The refrigerant passes through each of the second refrigerant flow switching devices 28a-1 and 28b-1 in the sub relay unit 2b-1 and exchanges heat with the heat medium, such as water or brine, in the heat exchangers related to heat medium 25a-1 and 25b-1 by passing therethrough. Here, the second refrigerant flow switching devices 25a-1 and 25b-1 are switched to the heating side. The refrigerant that has exchanged heat in the second refrigerant flow switching device with the heat medium and has turned into a high-temperature high-pressure liquid refrigerant, is expanded by passing through the third expansion devices 26a-1 and 26b-1, and is turned into a medium pressure liquid refrigerant. Each refrigerant that has been turned into a medium pressure liquid refrigerant in the third expansion devices 26a-1 and 26b-1 are merged, and a part of the refrigerant passes through a sub-unit second refrigerant passage 52 and is sent out from the sub relay unit 2b-1, and flows into the main relay unit 2a. Further, the remaining refrigerant is sent out to, among the other sub relay units, the sub relay units 2b in which the connected indoor units are undergoing cooling operation, specifically, refrigerant is sent out to the sub relay unit 2b-2 in Fig. 9. Here, the fourth expansion device 29-1 is totally closed. Note that the fourth expansion device 29 may be an on-off device, and during the heating main operation mode, the on-off device is closed.
In the sub relay unit 2b-2, the gas refrigerant that has been conveyed from the main relay unit 2a and the middle pressure liquid refrigerant that has been conveyed from the sub relay unit 2b-1 flow in. Among the refrigerant that has flowed in, the high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant that has been conveyed from the main relay unit 2a passes through the second refrigerant flow switching device 28b-2 and flows into the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25b-2. Here, the second refrigerant flow switching device 28a-2 is switched to the cooling side, and the second refrigerant flow switching device 28b-2 is switched to the heating side. The high-temperature high-pressure gas refrigerant that has flowed into the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25b-2 provides quantity of heat to the heat medium, such as water or brine, that has also flowed into the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25b-2, and turns into a high-temperature high-pressure liquid refrigerant. The refrigerant that has turned into a high-temperature high-pressure liquid is expanded by passing through the third expansion device 26b-2, and turns into a medium pressure liquid refrigerant. Here, the third expansion device 26b-2 is controlled so that the degree of subcooling of the refrigerant in the outlet of the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25b-2 becomes a target value. Additionally, the refrigerant that has tuned into a middle pressure liquid refrigerant merges with the middle pressure liquid refrigerant that has been conveyed from the sub relay unit 2b-1, passes through the third expansion device 26a-2, turns into a low-temperature low-pressure two-phase refrigerant, and flows into the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25a-2. The refrigerant receives quantity of heat from the heat medium, such as water or brine, that is also flowing into the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25a-2. Here, the third expansion device 26a-2, which the refrigerant passes through, is controlled so that the degree of superheat of the refrigerant that has passed through the heat exchanger related to heat medium 25a-2 and has exchanged heat becomes a target value. The low-temperature low-pressure two-phase refrigerant passes through the second refrigerant flow switching device 28a-2, merges with the low-temperature low-pressure refrigerant discharged from the other sub relay units 2b, flows through the main relay unit 2a, and is conveyed to the outdoor unit 1 through the refrigerant piping 4. Here, the fourth expansion device 29-2 is totally closed. The low-temperature low-pressure two-phase refrigerant that has been conveyed to the outdoor unit 1 passes through the check valve 13b, exchanges heat with the outdoor space 6 by passing through the heat source side heat exchanger 12 through the first refrigerant flow switching device 11, turns into a low-temperature low-pressure gas refrigerant, flows into the accumulator 19 guided by the first refrigerant flow switching device 11, and is returned to the compressor 10.
Note that although the above description has been made on the assumption that a gas-liquid separator to separate the gas phase and the liquid phase is provided, when using CO₂ as the heat source side refrigerant, CO₂ enters a supercritical state when in the high-pressure side, and when used as a gas cooler (condenser), it will be cooled to a supercritical state and will not turn into a two phase state in which gas phase and liquid phase is mixed. Accordingly, the gas-liquid separator for separating gas and liquid provided in the main relay unit 2a will not be required. Hence, when using CO₂ as a refrigerant, the same advantages can be obtained with the configuration of the invention without providing the gas-liquid separator.
As above, described in Embodiments, by connecting the outdoor unit 1 and the main relay unit 2a, the main relay unit 2a and at least one sub relay unit 2b, and each sub relay unit 2b and a plurality of indoor units 3, rather than refrigerant being conveyed, heat medium, such as water or brine, is conveyed indoors. With this, there will be no refrigerant leaking in rooms, and above that, by arranging the sub relay units 2b near the indoor units, conveyance power of the heat medium conveying device 31a and 31b can be reduced and, also, energy saving can be achieved.
Further, by arranging a plurality of sub relay units 2b to a single main relay unit 2a, it will be possible to introduce the refrigerant that has been separated into gas and liquid in the main relay unit 2a to the sub relay units 2b. Hence, according to the total heat load in the indoor units 3 that are connected to each sub relay units 2b, heat exchange between the heat medium and the refrigerant can be carried out and cooling operation and heating operation can be carried out at the same time. In this case, based on the total heat load of the sub relay units that is connected to the main relay unit, the operation mode of the outdoor unit may be determined.
Furthermore, since it is possible to connect a plurality of sub relay units 2b, it is possible to connect a plurality of indoor units 3 that is capable of operating individually.

Reference Signs List

1. heat source device (outdoor unit); 2a. main relay unit; 2b-1, 2b-2, 2b-3, 2b-4. sub relay unit; 3, 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d. indoor unit; 4. refrigerant piping; 5. heat medium piping; 6. outdoor space; 7. indoor space; 8. space above a ceiling; 9. structure, such as a building; 10. compressor; 11. first refrigerant flow switching device; 12. heat source side heat exchanger; 13. check valve; 19. accumulator; 21. gas-liquid separator; 22. first expansion device (main-unit expansion device); 23. second expansion device (main-unit expansion device); 25a, 25b. heat exchanger related to heat medium; 25a-1, 25b-1, 25a-2, 25b-2. heat exchanger related to heat medium; 26a, 26b. third expansion device (sub-unit expansion device); 26a-1, 26b-1, 26a-2, 26b-2. third expansion device (sub-unit expansion device); 28a, 28b. second refrigerant flow switching device; 28a-1, 28b-1, 28a-2, 28b-2. second refrigerant flow switching device; 29, 29-1, 29-2. fourth expansion device (sub-unit expansion device); 31a, 31b. heat medium conveying device; 31a-1,31b-1, 31a-2, 31b-2. heat medium conveying device; 32a, 32b, 32c, 32d. heat medium flow switching device (outlet side); 32a-1, 32b-1, 32c-1, 32d-1. heat medium flow switching device (outlet side); 32a-2, 32b-2, 32c-2, 32d-2. heat medium flow switching device (outlet side); 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d. heat medium flow switching device (inlet side); 33a-1, 33b-1, 33c-1, 33d-1. heat medium flow switching device (inlet side); 33a-1, 33b-1, 33c-1, 33d-1. heat medium flow switching device (inlet side); 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d. heat medium flow control device; 34a-1, 34b-1, 34c-1, 34d-1. heat medium flow control device; 34a-2, 34b-2, 34c-2, 34d-2. heat medium flow control device; 35a, 35b, 35c, 35d. use side heat exchanger; 35a-1, 35b-1, 35c-1, 35d-1. use side heat exchanger; 35a-2, 35b-2, 35c-2, 35d-2. use side heat exchanger; 41. main-unit first refrigerant passage; 42. main-unit second refrigerant passage; 43. main-unit third refrigerant passage; 44. main-unit bypass passage; 45a. first pressure detection device; b5a. second pressure detection device; 51. sub-unit first refrigerant passage; 52. sub-unit second refrigerant passage; 53. sub-unit third refrigerant passage; 54. sub-unit bypass passage;

Claims

An air-conditioning apparatus, comprising:
an outdoor unit (1) including a compressor (10) compressing and conveying a refrigerant, a first refrigerant flow switching device (11) switching passages conveying the refrigerant, and a heat source side heat exchanger (12) exchanging heat between an air and the refrigerant;

a plurality of indoor units (3) each including a use side heat exchanger (35a, 35b, 35c, 35d) that exchanges heat between air and a heat medium, the heat medium flowing in the use side heat exchangers (35a, 35b, 35c, 35d); and

a relay unit disposed between the outdoor unit (1) and the indoor units (3), the relay unit exchanging heat between the refrigerant conveyed from the outdoor unit (1) and the heat medium,

characterized in that

the relay unit including

a main relay unit (2a) that includes at least one main unit expansion device (22, 23) and a gas-liquid separator (21) separating the refrigerant conveyed from the outdoor unit (1) into gas and liquid and a returning refrigerant passage (43) through which the refrigerant returning from a plurality of sub relay units (2b-1, 2b-2, 2b-3, 2b-4) to the outdoor unit (1) flows, the main relay unit (2a) being connected to the outdoor unit (1) with a refrigerant piping (4), and

the plurality of sub relay units (2b-1, 2b-2, 2b-3, 2b-4) connected to the main relay unit (2a) through each of a gas refrigerant outlet side passage from the gas-liquid separator (21), a liquid refrigerant outlet side passage (42) in which the liquid refrigerant from the gas-liquid separator (21) flows through via the at least one main unit expansion device, and the returning refrigerant passage (43),

wherein the plurality of sub relay units (2b-1, 2b-2, 2b-3, 2b-4) including:
a plurality of heat exchangers related to heat medium (25a, 25b) respectively disposed between a plurality of sub-unit expansion devices (26a, 26b) and a plurality of second refrigerant flow switching devices (28a, 28b), each exchanging heat between the refrigerant and the heat medium;

the plurality of second refrigerant flow switching devices (28a, 28b) each switching passages of the refrigerant conveyed from the main relay unit (2a);

the plurality of sub-unit expansion devices (26a, 26b) respectively disposed in corresponding with the heat exchangers related to heat medium (25a, 25b);

a plurality of heat medium conveying devices (31a, 31b) each conveying the heat medium that has exchanged heat with the refrigerant in the corresponding heat exchanger related to heat medium (25a, 25b) to the indoor units (3), which are connected to the plurality of heat medium conveying devices (31a, 31b) through a heat medium piping (5);

a plurality of heat medium flow switching devices (32a, 32b, 32c, 32d) each disposed in a counter position to the outlet side of the corresponding indoor unit (3) and a plurality of heat medium flow switching devices (33a, 33b, 33c, 33d) each disposed in a counter position to the inlet side of the corresponding indoor unit (3) in which the heat medium flows, the heat medium flow switching devices (32a, 32b, 32c, 32d) each selecting a passage of the heat medium, which flows in the indoor unit (3), among the heat exchangers related to heat medium (25a, 25b); and

a plurality of heat medium flow control devices (34a, 34b, 34c, 34d) each disposed in a counter position to the inlet side or the outlet side of the corresponding indoor unit (3) in which the heat medium flows, the heat medium flow control devices (34a, 34b, 34c, 34d) each controlling a flow rate of the heat medium, wherein

a bypass passage (44) is connected between the liquid refrigerant outlet side passage (42) from the gas-liquid separator (21) and the returning refrigerant passage (43) and a first bypass expansion device (23) is disposed on the bypass passage;

wherein the at least one main unit expansion device (22, 23) in the main relay unit (2a) comprises a first expansion device (22), before and after which a first pressure detection device (45a) and a second pressure detection device (45b) are provided for control use.
The air-conditioning apparatus of claim 1, the plurality of sub relay units (2b-1, 2b-2, 2b-3, 2b-4) each further comprising:
a sub-unit first refrigerant passage (51) communicating with the gas refrigerant outlet side passage;

a sub-unit second refrigerant passage (52) communicating with the liquid refrigerant outlet side passage; and

a sub-unit third refrigerant passage (53) communicating with the returning refrigerant passage, wherein

the sub-unit first refrigerant passage (51) and the sub-unit second refrigerant passage (52) are connected by a plurality of passages in which the second refrigerant flow switching devices (28a, 28b), the heat exchangers related to heat medium (25a, 25b), and the sub-unit expansion devices (26a, 26b) respectively connect in series,

each of the second refrigerant flow switching devices (28a, 28b) switches and connects the corresponding heat exchanger related to heat medium (25a, 25b) to the sub-unit first refrigerant passage (51) or the sub-unit third refrigerant passage (53).
The air-conditioning apparatus of claim 2, wherein a bypass passage (54) that has a second bypass expansion device (29) connects between the sub-unit second refrigerant passage (52) and the sub-unit third refrigerant passage (53) to be capable of controlling amount of the returning refrigerant through the returning refrigerant passage.
The air-conditioning apparatus of any one of clams 1 to 3, having: a heating only operation mode in which all of the operating indoor units (3) are carrying out heating operations; a cooling only operation mode in which all of the operating indoor units (3) are carrying out cooling operations; and a cooling and heating mixed operation mode in which, some indoor units (3) are carrying out heating operations and some indoor units (3) are carrying out cooling operations.
The air-conditioning apparatus of claim 4, wherein the cooling and heating mixed operation mode is a mode in which there is a mixture of heating operations and cooling operations in the indoor units (3) connected to one of the plurality of sub relay units (2b-1, 2b-2, 2b-3, 2b-4).
The air-conditioning apparatus of claim 4, wherein the cooling and heating mixed operation mode is a mode in which the indoor units (3) connected to the plurality of sub relay units (2b-1, 2b-2, 2b-3, 2b-4) carry out heating operation and cooling operation per each of the plurality of sub relay units (2b-1, 2b-2, 2b-3, 2b-4).
The air-conditioning apparatus of claim 4, wherein the operation mode of the outdoor unit (1) is determined based on the total heat load of the plurality of sub relay units (2b-1, 2b-2, 2b-3, 2b-4) connected to the main relay unit (2a).